The 83-year-old actress, who played Cassidy's mum on the hit '70s sitcom, married his father, Jack Cassidy, in 1956. In a moving statement, Jones remembered her beloved stepson's cheeky side.

"Long before he played my son on The Partridge Family, David Cassidy was my stepson in real life," she said in a statement toEntertainment Tonight. "As a little boy, his sweet sensitivity and wicked sense of humor were already on display, and I will treasure the years we spent working and growing together.

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Jones and Cassidy starred on The Partridge Family together from 1970 to 1974, and it was initially Jones' idea to put the then 20-year-old forward for the role of Keith.

"[The producers] didn’t know that David could play and sing," Jones told VC On Stage in 2014. "And I said, 'Well, he’s very talented.' They said,' Is he?” I said, 'Oh, yeah. He’d be wonderful'."

David's father, who was an award-winning theatre actor, died tragically in a penthouse fire in 1976 while he was still married to Jones. Despite remarrying in 1977, Jones has said that Jack was the most influential person in her life.

"I will also find solace knowing that David is now with his dad," she said in her statement.

Jones went on to send her condolences to David's children and siblings.

"My heart is with David’s daughter, Katie, his son, Beau, and with Shaun, Patrick, and Ryan, whom I know are deeply missing their brother today," she continued. "Thank you for the enormous outpouring of affection you have offered our family at this difficult time."

David died on Wednesday after being rushed to hospital last week for organ failure.

A representative for the family told ET that the celebrated Hollywood star will be cremated, and a private memorial is being organised for close family and friends in Los Angeles. A public memorial for a later date is also being considered.